New Orleans, or the Big Easy as many call it, is quite the city – I can sum it up with a few words: deep fried food, cheap booze (that you can drink anywhere), live sex shows and jazz.

I found myself there last week for work and I figured that it was my duty to see the sights and learn more about the city. I have selected a few of the highlights but I must also be honest in saying that while there are lots of really great things about the city, there are also some serious drawbacks. The major issue being that the city is rather dirty and isn’t the safest city I have ever been to. But I suppose that these things are to be expected given the city’s history. But that being said, there are lots of great things to do while there. Here are a few of my favorites:

The Acme Oyster House – I saw this place on Man vs. Food, and I couldn’t pass up the chance to check it out. It was fantastic. Great atmosphere, and the charbroiled oysters are worth the trip to New Orleans. While I was there, a man was attempting to eat 43 dozen oysters, he only made it to 36 dozen. Jeez, couldn’t finish the last 7 dozen?

Yo Mama’s –

I found this place on Yelp, once again a lifesaver when you travel. Yo Mama’s is considered one of the best burger places by locals and visitors alike. It’s super small spot, sort of a dive bar (ACDC was blasting while I was there). But the servers are fantastic and the food is even better. And you get a YO Mama joke on the bottom of your bill – what’s not to love?

Booze – Much like Vegas, you can drink anywhere you like in New Orleans, in fact most stores that sell booze have bottle openers at the cash. I got myself a frozen drink in this fancy plastic cup, and guess what? I got a free shot with purchase. Free booze for buying booze, nothing wrong with that logic.

Cafe Du Monde – is a coffee shop on Decatur Street in the French Quarter. It is famous for its cafe au lait and French-style beignets. They come in orders of 3, so I assume they are suggesting you share. I didn’t – get over it.

Bananas Foster – is a dessert made from bananas and vanilla ice cream, with the sauce made from butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, dark rum and banana liqueur. The butter, sugar and bananas are cooked, and then the alcohol is added and this is when things get interesting. The dessert was first created at Brennan’s Restaurant in New Orleans in 1951. Since trying this, I can no longer eat bananas without the above additions, so I might be in a bit of trouble.

Louisiana State Museum – Before (During) After – I had a chance to take a quick look at this exhibit while I was in town. Having seen a good deal of news coverage, you think you have an idea what it was like, but really we have no concept of the destruction or the lasting effects Katrina has had.

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Source: http://thisneedstostop.com/2011/06/22/the-bees-knees-the-big-easy-edition/